Georges Didi-Huberman on Israel Galván's 'El disloque': The Solitude of the Deep Dancer

Philosopher and art historian Georges Didi-Huberman reflects on a performance by flamenco dancer Israel Galván at the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville on October 3, 2004. He describes Galván as a 'bailaor' (flamenco dancer) who dances 'por soleares' — through solitudes — creating multiplicity from his solitary body. Didi-Huberman analyzes Galván's technique of 'rematar' (stopping in beauty), comparing his virtuosic immobility to a bird hovering against the wind. He situates Galván as a contemporary of Samuel Beckett, Gilles Deleuze, and artists like Robert Morris and Bruce Nauman, and highlights the influence of dramaturge Pedro G. Romero, who works across sculpture, video, and political protest. The essay was published in artpress in January 2006.